NEWS

The Flying Needles to host Inaugural Retreat March 2018

It’s The Flying Needles FIRST EVER RETREAT! It feels like we’ve been planning this forever because it’s something that we have wanted to do with YOU for … well… since BEFORE we OPENED! And we are absolutely OVER THE MOON TO ANNOUNCE…

Accompanying the Three Irish Girls are powerhouse designers:
• Sweater Whisperer Marie Greene, of Oregon, most known on Ravelry and here at The Flying Needles for her Stillwater sweater, which we did as our shop’s 2nd Knit-A-Long!

• Josh Ryks-Robinsky of Minnesota, most known on Ravelry for his Mystik Spiral Socks and shawls.

EXCLUSIVE SHAWL OSCILLATE IS HERE! KNIT-A-LONG CASTING ON PARTY APRIL 4!!

March 11, 2018 – DRUM ROLL PLEASE… We are totally FAN-GIRLING OVER HERE! Shawl ShamanJosh Ryks-Robinsky sent us the sample of his EXCLUSIVE SHAWL PATTERN – OSCILLATE! YOU are seeing it FIRST! He has only released the image in black & white and left it to us to send out the first color images! It is truly something to behold! Drop by the shop to see its construction! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

KIM DYES YARN LANDING FOR YARN TASTING & TRUNK SHOW

JAN. 22, 2018 – We have LOTS of surprises for you in the upcoming 2018 year, and here is the SECOND! WE ARE ECSTATIC TO ANNOUNCE KIM DYES YARN IS COMING TO THE FLYING NEEDLES FOR A YARN TASTING & TRUNK SHOW!!

Kim Dyes Yarn, out of Herndon, is a VIRGINIA dyer and ANOTHER YARN LINE WE WILL BE STOCKING!! We’ve talked to Owner Kim Russo about her 20 yarn bases, all named for baked goods, and this is where we say – it JUST MAKES US HUNGRY – hungry for yarn and hungry for those lovely baked goods!

Kim is LANDING at The Flying Needles 5 TO 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 15, for her 1st YARN TASTING. She will hold a 2nd one from 10 am to 12 pm Friday, Feb. 16, and then she will remain on site all day Saturday, Feb. 17, to talk yarn with those who can’t make the tastings! THESE ARE FREE YARN TASTINGS! Please call us and reserve your seat. While the event is free, there are ONLY 35 RESERVATIONS FOR EACH TASTING! These are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please be considerate and ensure you can attend. Call us at (757) 345-3655 to make your reservation!

And if you just don’t know what the heck a Yarn Tasting is… Have you ever wanted to try out a yarn before buying it? How will that yarn that looks like candy on the shelf actually feel in your hands? Is it really as soft as it feels? Do the colors actually look that pretty when it’s knit or crocheted? Come play with the YARN! Don’t take our word that it’s awesome! Truffle packs of the yarns are included with admission! Get tons of inspiration for your ongoing knitting and/or crocheting adventures!

EXCLUSIVE SHAWL OSCILLATE KNIT-A-LONG CASTING ON PARTY APRIL 4!!

March 11, 2018 – DRUM ROLL PLEASE… We are totally FAN-GIRLING OVER HERE! Shawl Shaman Josh Ryks-Robinsky sent us the sample of his EXCLUSIVE SHAWL PATTERN – OSCILLATE! YOU are seeing it FIRST! He has only released the image in black & white and left it to us to send out the first color images! It is truly something to behold! Drop by the shop to see its construction! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

Let the 2018 RAVELLENIC GAMES BEGIN!

Feb. 6, 2018 – We were going to pass this year, but YOU requested it! So HERE WE GO!!

To celebrate the upcoming Olympic Games, WELCOME TO THE 2018 RAVELLENIC GAMES! Cast on at least one project Friday, Feb. 9, the day of the Opening Games, and bind off by Closing Games Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 25. The Ravellenics are a personal challenge AND a social event (you guys KNOW we LOVE to have FUN HERE!).

Want to participate? Here’s what you do…
1. Once you have a Ravelry profile, create your project via Ravelry. Snap a few photos & upload them to your project with your yarns.
2. Share your project to The Flying Needles Group!
3. Post your updates to The Flying Needles Facebook & Instagram pages with this tag: #flyingneedlesravellenics2018
4. Keep posting during the two weeks to get more entries for prizes! EVERY POST WITH A PHOTO COUNTS AS AN ENTRY!

And you know we have to have a PARTEEEEEEE!! Come on by the Shop Friday, Feb. 9, from 11 am to 1 pm and take part in the Ravellenics Casting on Party! Attend & get a PRIZE ENTRY!

THE PRIZE!! At stake is a Flying Needles canvas zippered bag, three balls of superwash worsted yarn in red, white & blue, a set of Zing needles, US size 6 with a 24” cable AND Tanis Gray’s new cowl released for the Olympics! A $65 VALUE!

IT’S A KNIT-A-LONG!

The Flying Needles has suuuuuuch an exciting year coming up! And we’re going to start if off with a BAAAAAANG!

*drumroll please*

IT’S A KNIT-A-LONG! We’ve been eyeing this pattern for quite a while. Welcome to the 2018 FLYING NEEDLES FIND OR FREE YOUR FADE KNIT-A-LONG (KAL)! With 7 fingering weight colors, the Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry is a STUNNER! You will feel like you’re on a RUNWAY EVERY TIME YOU WEAR IT! AAAAAAAND… If the Find Your Fade is too large for you, we’re opening the KAL to the FREE YOUR FADE – which uses 3 fingering weight colors.

We’ve stocked the shop with ALL the fingering weights in anticipation of this project including…. *drumroll please* OUR VERY FIRST LANDING OF THREE IRISH GIRLS’ YARNS WILL BE IN PRIOR TO THIS KNIT-A-LONG!! We’ve talked with Erin at Three Irish Girls, and SHE & her little elves are busy dying our first order. We also should have another round of MadTosh in with their BRAND NEW Spring 2018 colors – all of which should be here prior to the Casting On Party on Wednesday, Jan. 17! We’re also declaring Jan. 15 as Find Your Fade Day! All day long, staff will be on hand to help you find the colors that speak to you!

In the meantime, come in the shop to VOTE on your favorite Flying Needles’ staff member’s Fade Kit! Help them WIN BRAGGING RIGHTS & a pitcher of Susan’s Lemon Drops!

For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a Knit-A-Long is a gathering of people who come together and knit for a common purpose or project – in this particular case, we’re doing this for the sheer FUN FACTOR! If you’ve never done one, here are some common confusions: This is not a class and you do not have to be present. If you ever just wanted to knit the same thing with a group of people to be inspired, that’s what’s at the heart of this KAL.

The Casting on Party will be Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5 to 7 pm. Join us at the shop, call us on our phone, Facebook or Instagram LIVE, or call in on someone’s cell. If you’re here in Williamsburg, VA, or Timbuktu, YOU can participate.

This is how it will work. Cast on and post your project cast on pictures & updates on The Flying Needles Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand RAVELRY KAL DISCUSSION BOARDwith pictures, and you will be entered into our KAL Giveaway for each post. Just make sure you tag us with each post (otherwise we can’t see you). For you Instagrammers, here is the hashtag for our KAL: #flyingneedles2018KAL.

All projects finished by March 28th and posted to The Flying Needles Facebook, Twitter, Instagramor our RAVELRY KAL DISCUSSION BOARD with pictures will be entered into the GIVEAWAY! All Find Your Fades or Free Your Fades that include a Three Irish Girls Yarn will be eligible for the Red Carpet Walk at The Flying Needles Inaugural Retreat on Saturday, March, 31, 2018. (Retreat details ABOVE)

ACTING ON GRATEFULNESS!

This year The Flying Needles is participating in Sparkle Friday!

In 2015, Quirks of Art took a very unconventional approach to the day after Thanksgiving – they decided to close their doors and re-focus on the magic of the holidays. Their owner and staff journeyed into Williamsburg with one mission – to spread good cheer and do good deeds.

The Flying Needles wants in on that action! This year, our day after Thanksgiving will be spent collecting canned food items for the FEED OUR FUTURE PROGRAM at Surry County Elementary. This food distribution program feeds 400 families through its backpack program. Also, the school’s support continues over the holiday break – volunteers and staff bag up food to send home to families. CLICK HERE for more information about the Surry Feed Our Future Program.

So, this November, THE FLYING NEEDLES NEEDS YOUR HELP. We have a GIANT box that came filled with yarn. We’d like to fill this box with food between now and the week after Thanksgiving. See the list below of items that are most needed.

Our thanks to you is that for every two items you bring in, we will give you $.50 off your purchase up to $25. We have so much here in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave to be thankful for. We at The Flying Needles hope you will take a moment to express that gratefulness on our Sparkle Friday and help children not go hungry.

Concern for fellow Americans in Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida spurred conversation during The Flying Needles Open Stitching. Rather than make items to send to those in need, The Flying Needles community agreed money was the best thing to send in support of those hit by the hurricanes. As a result, The Flying Needles will host a fundraising Knit-A-Thon from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, Nov. 11.

“We’ve all seen the pictures and the news footage,” said Owner Susan Dickerson. “I and the community here at The Flying Needles want to do something to help. So, for one day, we’re selling the seats in our shop to come out and knit, crochet, spin, weave, cross stitch or just sit here and soak up the ambience. All proceeds will be sent to the fund created by the five living former U.S. Presidents. All participants are invited to work on personal projects. Consider it solace to work on your Holiday gifts.”

All seats at The Flying Needles can be purchased for blocks of time. The morning times are 10 to 1:30 pm and the afternoon is from 1:30 to 5 pm. To purchase seats, make checks out to: GBPLF One America Appeal, the fund created by all five living former U.S. Presidents. To find out more about this fund, please CLICK HERE. Of the monies raised, 100% of every dollar raised will go to help victims.

The pricing structure for each of the chairs is:

$500 ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $850 for the whole day – the couch – bring up to 8 of your friends and land on The Flying Needles couch! It’s yours for 3 and a half hours – it’s the biggest piece in the HOUSE!

$175 ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $300 for the whole day – the navy lazy-boy leather recliner – this one is primo! Best seat in the house!

$125 ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $225 for the whole day – the glider – it’s where Dickerson rocked her youngest child. It’s definitely comfy!

$100 ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $175 for the whole day – the wingback – Dickerson’s grandmother’s, this chair was reupholstered upon the Shop’s opening.

$75 ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $130 for the whole day – the gold chair – customer Trish Whisnant’s mother’s chair and perfect for a little cushion on a back.

$50 each ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $85 for the whole day – two white chairs

$25 each ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $45 for the whole day – the 18 folding chairs are for sale for $25 each! Order early and you get the higher backed and newer ones.

$25 each ½ day (morning or afternoon) or $45 for the whole day – Bring Your Own folding chair. As long as it doesn’t inhibit the flow of foot traffic in the store, you can bring your own chair!

Bring your check made out to GBPLF One America Appeal and reserve your seat now. No credit cards can be accepted for this fundraiser.

As a way to say thank you, all participants will enjoy TRIPLE CUSTOMER LOYALTY POINTS the day of the Knit-A-Thon. For questions or to RSVP for the Knit-A-Thon, call (757) 345-3655. No reservation is confirmed until donations are received.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FLYING NEEDLES!

Oh, YEAH BABEEEEE!!! It’s The Flying Needles 1st BIRTHDAY on Oct. 14, and boy, do we have BIG PLANS!!

We are ECSTATIC TO ANNOUNCE Lorna’s Laces Yarns will be joining us for our 1st Birthday! Located in Chicago, this woman-owned business has GORGEOUS color ways!!

We’ve got THREE WHOLE DAYS of FUN & ACTIVITIES with Lorna’s Laces and their divine color ways, a Knitter’s Pride Needle Tasting with Toni Lipe, Knitter’s Pride rep, a spinning demonstration by Windchasers Angora who will be spinning right from the bunnies onto the wheel, and a RED CARPET WALK of all the FINISHED OBJECTS from both Knit-A-Longs of the Etched Rio & the Stillwater as well as those FOs from all the beginners who have gotten their start during The Flying Needles’ first year.

Lorna’s Laces kicks our ANNIVERSARY festivities off with two Yarn Tastings. If you’ve never experienced a Flying Needles Yarn Tasting, then you’re in for a HUUUGE treat!

Have you ever wanted to try out a yarn before buying it? How will that yarn that looks like candy on the shelf actually feel in your hands? Is it really as soft as it feels? Do the colors actually look that incredible when they’re knit or crocheted? Come play with our Claudia Hand Painted Yarn! Don’t take our word that it’s awesome! Truffle packs of Lorna’s luscious yarns are included with your price of admission! Get tons of inspiration for your ongoing knitting and/or crocheting adventures! Seats for each Yarn Tasting are $10 each, and each seating is limited to 40 people.You can call the shop and register for any of these events and avoid the extra fees at (757) 345-3655 during shop hours.

On our ACTUAL 1st Birthday, Saturday, Oct. 14, the Lorna’s Laces Trunk Show will continue from 10 am to 5 pm and will be joined by Toni Lipe, Knitter’s Pride rep extraordinaire! Toni will be on hand for a NEEDLE TASTING! Come sample tons of Knitter’s Pride needles – the new Zings, Karbonz and Dreamz! Windchaser Angoras will return for a SPINNING demonstration – they will be spinning Angora Rabbit Fur right from the rabbit and onto the wheel! AND IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH! We will be hosting our VERY FIRST RED CARPET WALK!! Every beginner who started on our couch is invited to bring a FINISHED OBJECT in to walk the carpet. Also invited is EVERYONE with completed Knit-A-Long projects! CALLING ALL COMPLETED Etched Rio & Stillwater OWNERS!! ALL INVITED! Please RSVP by calling the shop (757) 345-3655 & let us know if you will be in attendance so we can plan accordingly. There will be prizes all day long for those present!

The Birthday Celebration starts at 10 am and goes through 5 pm all day, Saturday, Oct. 14! Come HELP US CELEBRATE our FIRST YEAR OF BEING IN BUSINESS!

It’s a Knit-A-Long!

OH YEAH BABEEEEE! We’ve got new yarns, and all those luscious beauties are calling out to us for a KAL!! Without further ado, please meet STILLWATER by Marie Greene! Marie’s top-down, seamless one piece, cardigan is a gorgeous, quick-knit, versatile sweater in a wide range of bust sizes (32 to 54!). It was so quick to knit, that Marie and others knit it in FOUR DAYS!! Knit in a worsted weight yarn, this sweater is going to be a wonderful addition to your FASHIONISTA wardrobe. The KAL CASTING ON PARTY will be from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, Aug. 16! And we’ve saved the BEST FOR LAST… designer Marie Greene will be joining us via Skype for our LAUNCH at 6 pm!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!! Our worsted weights are just gorgeous now with new colors in Berroco’s Ultra Alpaca, Noro’s Kureyon, Juniper Moon’s Herriott, Plymouth’s Galway, and Berroco’s BRAND NEW superwash Ultra Wool! Everyone who attends the CASTING ON PARTY will be entered into the CASTING ON PARTY giveaway that night and into the GRAND Prize. Everyone who finishes their Stillwater by our FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY on Saturday, Oct. 14, will be invited to walk the RED CARPET that day at noon for our Flying Needles Finished Object Party! Oh good GLORY! It’s gonna be a FULL ON PARTY! Mark your calendar now! In the meantime, drop by the shop to take a gander at all the new luscious beauties!

Flying Needles collects 293 handmade items for homeless

WILLIAMSBURG, VA, August 30, 2017 – The Flying Needles, a Local Yarn Shop, collected 293 handmade items from its Handmade for the Homeless event, which ended Aug 12.

For two months, The Flying Needles collected handmade items, like, mittens, hats, scarves, socks, etc., to donate to the Harbor, a day center for the homeless located at the Williamsburg House of Mercy. The Harbor is a collaboration between Williamsburg House of Mercy and Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission, united to serve the homeless.

During the Handmade for the Homeless event, The Flying Needles raffled off the GRAND PRIZE, a $350 value, sponsored by Bryson Distributing, Yarn Rep Toni Lipe, and Virginia Hand-dyer Natasha Laity of Unplanned Peacock. Everyone who donated a handmade item was entered into the drawing. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

Flying Needles launches Handmade for the Homeless – collecting now through Aug. 12

The Flying Needles, kicked off its first Handmade for the Homeless Project on June 10, 2017, also International Knit In Public Day.

For two months, The Flying Needles will collect handmade items, like, mittens, hats, scarves, socks, etc., to donate to the Harbor, a day center for the homeless located at the Williamsburg House of Mercy and a collaboration between community partners, Williamsburg House of Mercy and Greater Williamsburg Outreach Mission, united to serve the homeless. For a full list of needs, CLICK HERE.

During the Handmade for the Homeless event, The Flying Needles will raffle off a GRAND PRIZE, sponsored by Bryson Distributing, Plymouth Yarn and Done Roving Yarns. The prize will go to the person who donates the most number of handmade items. The Flying Needles will collect handcrafted itemsAND PURCHASED items through August 12.

The timing of the Handmade for the HomelessProject is perfect, said Williamsburg House of Mercy, Executive Director Shannon Woloszynowski. “We’re coming into the Winter Shelter season, and people don’t really think about his until November. To have these items in September as we gear up for Winter Shelter is ideal.”

Flying Needles to host first World Wide Knit in Public Day 10am to 5pm Saturday, June 10

The Flying Needles will host its first World Wide Knit in Public Day event on Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 10 am to 5 pm. Rain or shine, bring your own chair and KNIT, CROCHET, WEAVE OR SPIN! COME HELP US TAKE OVER THE SIDEWALK at Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center! Dragontamer Woodworking, Dimensions Raku Fired Clay and Done Roving Yarn will be on site with TRUNK SHOWs. Shannon Woloszynowski Williamsburg House of Mercy Executive Director will be on hand to help The Flying Needles launch its first Handmade for the Homeless Project (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE HANDMADE FOR THE HOMELESS PROJECT). There will be free water and lemonade on site until supplies run out and giveaways on the HOUR! All winners must be present to win.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Flying Needles celebrating SIX MONTHS with Virginia-based Unplanned Peacock for April 14 & 15 Trunk Show
We’ve got EXCITING NEWS!! Natasha Laity, Unplanned Peacock Studio artist and Yarnista, will be in the HOUSE Easter weekend, Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15, to help us CELBRATE OUR SIX MONTH ANNIVERSARY!

She’s bringing everything but the kitchen sink! Join us at The Flying Needles both days, 10 am to 5 pm touch, feel and really LOOK at all of her colors, textures, models and just plain AWESOMENESS!! Come help us CELEBRATE and get INSPIRED!

Flying Needles hosting its 1st KAL
To celebrate our FIRST SIX MONTHS of being opened, The Flying Needles is hosting its Inaugural KAL (Knit A Long)!

For those new to the knitting world, KALs are created opportunities for people to knit MORE! The project we will all be doing is the Etched Rio by Sarah Smuland. We have the pattern in the shop, but it is available via Ravelry, too. We picked this pattern because it has just enough lace to be difficult for a beginner while being an attractive enough garment that expert knitters will love it as well! There are some GORGEOUS spring yarns to do this wrap in, especially the JUST LANDED Plymouth Nettle Grove! And the absolute best thing about a KAL, is that every Wednesday Open Stitch Night, we will be available to assist if you run into trouble – it’s like Knitting With An Instructor!

We launch Wednesday March 15 & Bind Off within 8 weeks by May 15! For the full story, click here.

Feb. 20, Monday, 10 am & 5:30 pm

We can tell you now that we are hosting a Plymouth Yarn Tasting on Monday, Feb. 20. YOu will get to try out 5 delectable Plymouth spring yarns! The free event will be held at 10 am and again at 5:30 pm. Each seating is free and will hold 25 participants. Call us NOW to reserve your space as we are expecting to fill up early! (757) 345-3655!